Method for automatic control of antiknock liquids



May 21, 1935. B. KIMBALL.

METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF ANTIKNOCK LIQUIDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Jan. 20, 1934 INVENTOR Leo B. lfiimall v BY 1%; m TORNE 5 L. B; KIMBALL May 21, 1935.

METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF ANTIKNOOK LIQUIDS Original Filed Jan. .20, 1934-" 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 3 9 w a 6 3 a 1 Z M Z R N 0 2 R MK 0 W5 n N o Patented May 21, 1935 METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF ANTIKNOOK LIQUIDS I I Leo B. Kimball, New Haven, Conn., assignor to Fuel Development of Delaware Corporation, a corporation Original application January 20, 1934, Serial No. 707,550. Divided and this application March 7, 1934, Serial N0. 714,442

8 Claims.

This invention relates to certain improvements that pertain primarily to the fractional supply of anti-knock liquids to the intake conduits or apparatus of an internal combustion engine or to engines of similar nature, for distribution in the air-fuel mixtures used in the operation thereof.

This application is a division of my prior application filed January 20, .1934, Serial No. 707,550.

The invention of this application has more particularly to dowith the method used forthe supply of anti-knock liquids to internal combustion engines which are used with a so-called supercharger", which has usually been in the form of a blower, or there may be other devices for producing a pressure in the intake of an internal combustion engine above normal atmospheric pressure.

Although such superchargers have been used to some extent in connection with automobile engines, yet their use in connection with airplane oraircraft engines is particularly valuable because when an airplane is taking off the power required of the engine is above the normal power a that would ordinarily be produced with a wide open throttle valve.

One object, therefore, of the present invention is to make certain changes in the method heretofore invented by me for the fractional supply of fluids to internal combustion engines, such as is described in my prior Patent No. 1,974,072, issued September 18, 1934. In said patent the general considerations surrounding the operation of internal combustion engines and the reason for adding anti-knock liquids thereto at certain times are fully set'forth, and it is deemed un: necessary to repeat the same in this specification.

It may be said, in addition thereto, that in the,

use of a supercharger with aircraft engines, the supercharger produces an increased pressure which sometimes may amount to one atmosphere above normal atmospheric pressure at sea level. When an airplane takes off from the ground or. water surface at practically sea level, the pilot opens the throttle valve to some predetermined point approaching its widest opening. Owing to the high speed of the airplane engine at such times the supercharger (or blower) produces an increased pressure in the intake manifold of the engine. At such times the tendency to produce knocking in the engine is increased, particularly if the gasoline is of low grade or the engine has become foul from carbon or a poor condition is produced from other causes.

As the airplane attains greater elevation the additional intake pressure produced by the supercharger becomes somewhat neutralized by the drop in atmospheric pressure and the pilot therefore opens the throttle to asomewhat greater extent, which causes the supercharger to produce still more pressure and so to increase the power and speed of the engine in order to cause the aircraft to continue to rise steadily.

When the desired cruising altitude is reached the throttle is somewhat closed so that it is usually about three-fourths of its maximum opening and this is continued at the cruising speed, after which it is not necessary to change the position of the throttle except under adverse or unexpected conditions.

At cruising speeds of an aircraft, the supercharger orblower produces no pressure in the intake, that is, the effective result thereof may be equal to or below atmospheric pressure at sea level. Such speeds, in cruising, are substantially normal speeds of the aircraft, and therefore, since no considerable extra power is required, the fuelair mixture or charge is substantially normal and the intake suction of the engine supplemented by the supercharger pressure to overcome the reduced air pressure supplies the necessary charge to practically the same degree as would occur at v sea level.

As above stated, the knocking tends to occur only at times when considerable extra power is required of the engine, such as when taking off or rising to higher altitudes. Consequently, it becomes necessary only to supply the anti-knock liquid at such times.

This invention, therefore, resides in methods for adding the anti-knock liquid economically when used with a supercharger or blower connected with an engine, and also when used with automobile engines where such valves are installed as a part of the automobile equipment. The installatmn for automobile uses of the valve and with a supercharger is not substantially different from the useofthe valve with an aircraft supercharger, the main differences in the first case being in the type of engine used and in the kind of supercharger employed.

For a detailed description of one former apparatus for carrying out this invention and which at present is deemed preferable, reference may be had to the following specification and the drawings forming part thereof, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of an airplane engine showing the relative locations of the respective parts and their connections with each other;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the appw tus shown in Figure 1, the valve itself being shown ings, the numeral indicates the airplane enginewhich has a multiplicity of radially located cylinders, such as indicated by the numeral 2. The

' pistons in these cylinders are connected with the main crank, as is usual in such devices, and the cylinders are also provided with intake and exhaust pipes, as indicated by the numerals 3 and 4, respectively.

At the left hand of the crank case is a circular housing 5 which contains the rotating pump or blower constituting the supercharger, the rotating part of said blower being operated from the crank shaft of the engine or from a rotating device driven from the exhaust pressures of the engine, as is well known in the art. Obviously, the supercharger may be driven by other means when preferred.

The improved valve which I have invented for use in connection with this type of apparatus is indicated by the numeral 6. The numeral I indicates a pipe leading from the supercharger casing 5 to said valve. The pipe 8 is a pipe leading from said valve to a closed reservoir or supply tank 9 for the anti-knock liquid. From the bottom of the reservoir}! is a pipe l0 which leads to the valve 6 and through which the anti-knock liquid passes so that it is controlled by said valve. From the lower part of the valve is a pipe II that is connected with the carburetor |2. This car- .buretor I2 is connected with the supercharger or blower by a suitable pipe l3 so that the airfuel mixture passes through said supercharger to the intake pipes which lead to the compression ends of the cylinders of the engine.

Referring now to Figure 2, in which the above mentioned parts are indicated schematically, it will be seen that the various pipes are connected with the valve 6 as above'described, so that it will operate to perform its required functions when constructed as follows:

The top of the casing or housing 14 is provided with a union or nipple i 5 with which the pipe I from the supercharger 5 is connected. A second nipple l6 entering the top of the housing i4 is connected with the pipe 8, from the supply tank'9. Below the top of the housing l4, there is a resilient diaphragm l! which carries two discs l8 and IS, the upper disc being provided with a flexible washer or gasket 2|] which is adapted to close the opening in the top of the housing that is located immediately below the nipple l6.

In the lower part of the housing M a second diaphragm is provided as indicated at 2|. This is also provided with two circular discs 22 and 23, the lower one of which also carries a packing or gasket 24 which is adapted to close the outlet 25 in the bottom of the housing. The circular disc 22 supports one end of a helical spring 26, the upper end of which is held in position by the annular cap 21, which cap is supported on screwthreaded posts or studs 28. The cap is held adjustably in position by the helical springs 29 surrounding said studs. The spring 26 tends to hold the gasket 24 in contact with the lower end of the housing so as to close the outlet 25 except when the necessary counterbalancing fluid pressupplied through the nipple 33 which connects with the pipe l0 leading to the bottom of the supply tank or reservoir 3. The air pressure in the space between the diaphragm I1 and the diaphragm 2| is preferably maintained at normal atmospheric pressure (at sea level) and since the air constitutes a resilient cushion its pressure is efl'ective to aid in determining the points at which the respective valves open. Beneath the outlet 25 in the housing I4 is a thimble 3| which is screw-threaded within a suitable opening, and said tbimble is provided with a transverse partition having a hole or opening therein, as indicated at 32. Within the opening 32 is a valve member 33 having varying transverse diameters which determine the rates at which the liquid will flow through the opening 32. This valve member 33 is provided with a screw-threaded projection 34 which passes through the disc 23 and is adjustably carried in the hub thereof 23'.

Below the tapering portion of the valve member 33 is a cylindrical portion 35 which isprovided at its lower end with a transverse pin 36. A tubular member 31 is provided with longitudinal slots 38 within which the ends of the pin 36 may slide up and down. The tubular portion 31 is continued downward and is screw-threaded as indicated at 39 and is provided with a. groove 40 for turning by means of .a screw-driver.

The screw-threaded portion 39 is preferably provided with a locknut 4| which may be used to hold the flange 31' of the tubular portion 31 in its adjusted position on the flange 44 of the thimble 45. It will now be seen that when the screwthreaded portion 39 is rotated by means of a screw-driver the cylindrical portion 35 of the requiredrange for the correct flow of anti-knock liquid under various requirements of the engine.

essary pressure above atmospheric pressure so that themixture of fuel and air will be impelled or driven into the intake passages of the engine by a pressure that is above normal atmospheric pressure. This will increase the pressure through the pipe 1, nipple I5 and the space above the die,- phragm IT. Thus the diaphragm will be pushed downward and the orifice below the nipple |6 will be opened so that the pressure can pass through the nipple I 6, pipe 8, tothe upper portion of the reservoir 9. That pressure will then cause the liquid therein to be forced out from the bottom thereof so that it will pass through the pipe l0 and the nipple 30 into the space below the diaphragm 2| and such pressure on the diaphragm will cause the gasket 24 to be raised and so open the discharge outlet 25. That also causes the liquid to pass through the opening 32 surrounding the valve member 33. This member constitutes a metering device which will accurately determine the rates of flow of the anti-knock liquid into the chamber below said transverse partition in the thimble 3|. The amount of variation in the diameter of the valve member 33 should be accurately determined in order that the rates of flow of the liquid controlled thereby will correspond to the desired amount that it is necessary to add to the air-fuel mixture. The variations in the valve member are determined by the amount of anti-knock or other fluid required to be added at various supercharger pressures throughout the range of supercharger pressures and according to the requirements of the engine. Thus the liquid will flow through the nipple 42 and the pipe 43 to the carburetor l2 where it is mixed with the incoming air and when mixed with the fuel, passes through the pipe 13 to the super charger 5. It then flows to the cylinders of the engine through the intake pipes 3.

Regarding the adjustment of the valve member 33 having varying diameters in the opening 32 through the partition-in the nipple 8|, that is accomplished, as above indicated, first, by loosening the locknut 4| so that the tubular portion 3'! may be rotated. Then by rotating the tubular portion 31 in a clockwise direction the valve member 33 will be raised by reason of its being screwed further into the hub 23 extending from the disc 23. When the proper position has been reached, the screw-driver is removed and the locknut again screwed into position so that the flange 31' will be pulled down onto the internal flange 44 of the screw-threaded thimble 45 which closes the lower end of the housing l4. Thereafter, the tubular portion 31 will not be further rotated until the locknut ll is again loosened.

It may be stated here that the position of the valve spindle 33, as relates to the disc 23, will be slightly higher for high powered engines than it is when used in connection with other engines of smaller power, since higher powered engines require more fuel.

As is usual in connection with aircraft engines similar to those above described, as well as in connection with engines for propelling automobi1es, the carburetor is provided with athrottle valve which, in the present instance, is indicated above the carburetor 12, at 46. This throttle valve is one of the usual accessories supplied with such aircraft or automobile engines and is connected with the device to be controlled by the operator of the engine through a rod 41, in any manner known in the art.

Having thus described this arrangement of one form of my improved valve as relates to the method of using the supercharger and the carburetor of an aircraft engine, it will be seen that I have provided a method that is carried out in connection with the control by the operator of the throttle valve for determining the amount of fuel to be supplied to an internal combustion engine. This arises by reason of the fact that the supercharger produces the additional pressure in proportion to the speed and power required of the engine.- The speed of the engine determines the speed of rbtation of the rotating element of the supercharger, and therefore its supercharging or fluid pressure action.

It will be appreciated that the positive control comes into play primarily when the aircraft is taking oif from the surface of land or water and the valves automatically provide the necessary supply of anti-knock liquid in accordance with the extra unusual power demanded of the engine. It will be apparent from the above description that the use of a supercharger may not always be required. The pressure on the surface of the supplementary liquid in the reservoir may be produced in other ways. When the usual exhaust pressure from an internal combustion the throttle valve if such an arrangement be desirable.

I wish it to be understood that I do not wish this invention to be considered as being limited to the specific details and procedure herein described, except in so far as they may be consistent with the scope and tenor of the accompanying claims, for various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of my inven-' tion.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of supplyinga air-fuel mixtures used in operating an internalcombustion engine, which comprises, producing a fluid pressure above atmospheric pressure in substantial proportion to the power developed by the engine, causing said fluid pressure to act elas tically upon the surface'of said supplementary liquid and impel the same to flow in the desired direction, and then regulating the rates of flow of said supplementary liquid in proportion to the fluid pressure on the same.

2. The method of supplying a supplementary liquid in varying amounts for distribution in the.

air-fuel mixtures used in operating an internalcombustion engine, which comprises, producing a positive fluid pressure in proportion to the power developed by the engine, said pressure being above that of the surrounding atmosphere, causing said fluid pressure to act elastically upon the surface of said supplementary liquid and impel the same to flow in the desired direction, regulating the rates of flow of said supplementary liquid in proportion to the fluid pressure thereon and in proportion to the extra power developed by the engine, and stopping the flow thereof when said fluid pressure is below, a predetermined pressure.

3. The method of supplying a supplementary liquid in varying amounts for distribution in the air-fuel mixtures used in operating an internalcombustion engine, which comprises, producing a positive airpressure in proportion to the power and speed developed by the engine, causing said air pressure to act upon the surface of a substantial quantity of said supplementary liquid to force the same to flow therefrom in the'desired direction, regulating the rates of flow of said supplementary liquid in proportion to the air pressure thereon and in proportion to the power and speed developed by the engine, and discontinuing said air pressure and said flow of fluid when said engine is operating to develop cruising power and speed.

4. The method of supplying a supplementary liquid in varying amounts for distribution in the air-fuel mixtures used in operating an internalcombustion engine, which comprises, controlling the main stream of air-fuel mixtures to increase supplementary liquid in varying amounts for distribution in the liquid when said engine is operating to develop cruising power and speed.

5. The method not supplying an anti-knock liquid varying amounts for distribution in the air-fuel mixtures used in operating an internal combustion engine, which comprises, iorcing said anti-knock fluid into the air-fuel mixtures under positive air pressures above atmospheric pressure and regulating the-rates of flow of said antil-rnock liquid in proportion to the various amounts of power required of the engine.

6. The method of supplying an anti-knock liquid in varying amounts for distribution in the air-fuel mixtures used in operating an internal combustion engine. which comprises, producing a positive fluid pressure above atmospheric pressure and in substantial proportion to the power developed by the engine, causing said fluid pressure to act upon said anti-knock liquid'to force the same into the air fuel mixtures constantly at certain speeds of the engine, and regulating the rates of flow of aid anti-lniock liquid in proportion to the various amounts or power required or the engine. r

7. The method of supplying -an anti-knock liquid in varying amounts for distribution in the air-fuel mixtures used in operating an internal combustion engine, which comprises, producing a positive air pressure that is above atmospheric pressure-and in varying proportions correspond ing to the various amounts of power required of the engine, causing said air pressure to act upon said anti-knock liquid to force the same into the air-fuel mixtures, and then regulating the rates of flow of said anti-knock liquid in proportion to the varying amounts or power required of the engine. I I

8. The method of supplying an anti-knock liquid in varying amounts for distribution in the air-fuel mixtures used in operating an internal combustion engine, which comprises, producing a positive air pressure above atmospheric pressure-and in proportion to the power developed by the engine, causing said air pressure to act upon said anti-knock liquid to force the same into the air-fuel mixtures, regulating the rates of flow said anti-knock liquid in proportion to the various amounts of power required of the engine. and stopping the flow of said anti-knock liquid when the air pressure thereon is below a predetermined amount.

LEO 'B. KIMBAIL.

CERTIFICATE OF commotion.

rum N 2,002,483. May 21. 193s.

L20 3. KIMBALL.

it is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, 'fi'rst column, line 15, claims 5, before "varying" insert the word in; and second column, line I, claim 6, for "aidY-' read said; and that: the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.- a

Signed and sealed this 25th day of June, A. D. 1935.

Bryan M Battey (Seal) I Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

